Experiment 5

Plastics the Second Time Around

Physical Properties of Polymers

Objective: The objective of this experiment is to test and compare the physical properties of thermoplastic polymers.

Review of Scientific Principles:

Plastics are long chain molecules. Depending upon the monomers, the plastic will have different physical and chemical properties. Chemical properties are difficult to test for and usually call for the destruction of the plastic through incineration. Burning plastics can give off toxic fumes. This is one of the reasons firemen wear a self contained breathing apparatus when entering a burning building.

It is easier and safer to check the physical properties. Different plastics look, feel, and behave differently. Some are clear and colorless, while others are opaque. Some feel soft, while others feel slimy, slippery, or tacky. Some are more rigid than others. Each plastic has a unique density. Each plastic has a temperature at which it softens and/or melts as we saw in the last laboratory experiment.

The densities (in g/ml) of the plastics you will be checking are:

HDPE 0.952 to 0.965

LDPE 0.917 to 0.940

PET 1.29 to 1.4

PP 0.900 to 0.910

PS (in solid form) 1.04 to 1.05

PS (in foam form) variable but always less than 1

PVC (rigid) 1.30 to 1.58

PVC (flexible) 1.16 to 1.35

The melting or softening point we discussed in the last investigation is important when recycling, because when a plastic is softened or melted, it will adhere (stick) to itself. Generally when two or more plastics are softened or melted, the plastics will not adhere to one another. This is one of the reasons why recycled plastics must be sorted. This is an expensive process that adds to the costs of recycling.

Time: To perform this experiment and answer the questions will require 35-40 minutes.


General Safety Guidelines:


Materials and Supplies:

Procedure:

  1. Obtain a sample of each type of plastic, noting the letter on each piece. The letters are used to reference each sample.
  2. Examine each sample and write a visual description in the proper location in the data table.
    a) Is the sample clear? Is the sample opaque? Does it have color?
    b) In the data table describe how the sample feels. Is the sample smooth or rough? Does it have a pattern?

    c) Flex each sample through an angle of 10o to 30o. Note in the data table how easy it was to flex the sample. Is it flexible or rigid? You might want to compare the various samples.

  3. Pour 50 ml of the 40% CaCl2 solution into a 150 ml beaker. Place each of the plastic samples in the solution. Note which samples sink (S) or float (F) in the DATA TABLE.
  4. Return the solution to the appropriate container and dry out the beaker.
  5. Dry off your samples.
  6. Repeat Step #3-5 with:
    32% calcium chloride,
    6% calcium chloride,
    24% ethanol,
    38% ethanol, and
    52% ethanol
  7. Return all plastics to the recycling box after usage.

Video Clip


Data Table:

TestABCDEFG
Visual Description
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Surface Appearance
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Rigidity
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Float/Sink Ethanol mix 52%
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
38%
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
24%
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Float/Sink CaCl2 mix 6%
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
32%
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
40%
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Questions:

  1. From the data given in the REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES section identify each of the plastics by proper recycling number and proper name.
    Sample A
    Sample B
    Sample C
    Sample D
    Sample E
    Sample F
    Sample G
  2. When testing for the density of the plastic samples, why did some of the samples stick out of the solution more than other samples?
  3. If you were given two plastic samples, how would you identify them?
  4. Which of the polymer (plastics) would be used as a material in making each of the following?
    Use letters and names to identify each polymer.


    i) A covering to go around a sandwich?
    ii) A replacement for a picture window ?
    iii) As a covering for a plastic bowl?
    iv) As a replacement for the lead sinkers used in fishing?
    v) As a clip board to write on?

  5. Which polymer was most flexible?
  6. Which polymer was most transparent?

Teacher Notes:

Time : This lab is expected to take 40 minutes.

Materials and Supplies:


General Safety Guidelines:


Procedure:

  1. Prepare the solutions given above and ask the students to return them to the original containers after use. An alternative procedure might be to provide a number of beakers each containing one solution. Identify the beakers so the students can simply take these beakers to their desk for usage and exchange beakers among lab groups after their use.
  2. Using the polymers brought by the students in the previous lab, cut the polymers into 2 cm by 4 cm pieces. With an indelible marker, write a letter A-G on each type of polymer. These letters provide a technique for identifying and talking about the polymers used. A polymer can be identified using the recycling code on the bottom of the plastic. The recycling codes are: 1 = PET, 2 = HDPE, 3 = PVC, 4 = LDPE, 5 = PP, and 6 = PS. Students should be familiar with the code numbers found in the 3 bent arrow recycling symbol. At this time you should not identify any of the polymers used in this experiment nor their recycling numbers.
  3. Students should get one sample of each type of polymer to use in this experiment. Should the indelible ink be leached from a polymer, a fresh identification marking should be reapplied.
  4. When the experiment is finished, students are to place their polymers in the recycling box.

Answers to Questions:

  1. Student answers.
  2. Differences in density.
  3. Using density or physical appearance.

  4. i) HDPE and/or LDPE
    ii) PP and/or PS rigid
    iii) PET, HDPE, and/or LDPE
    iv) PVC
    v) PS (rigid), PP, and/or PVC
  5. LDPE and/or PET
  6. PP, PS (rigid), and/or PET

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